Draft regulator



June 24,'1958 J. P. KozAK 2,840,317

DRAFT REGULATOR Filed June 24, 1953 j s sheets-sheet 1 R INVEN-roR ATTORNEY June 24, 1958 J. P. kozAK 2,840,317.

- l DRAFT REGULATOR Filed June 24. 1953 L- 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 /Cf/E.

'I L 0 o 3/ k 5 7.5 2s [E 3 jg INVENToR i JaffP/l K0z4x ArroRNEY Junev24, 1958 J. P. KozAK 2,840,317

y DRAFT REGULATOR Filed June 24. 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 /3/ Y f2? y f? fag' a IC7/16. /52 a 45 55 750 v f 73s f F7515 Z9 y (gg 745 U f/O f/ /f A 'llllll ,Oggi 7%.?

SJ `2 v y gl ,36 IC7/7. sa a* .i a INVENToR dann H 24K BY ATTORNEY United States Patentfce Y 2,840,317 Patented June 24, 1958 They present inventionrelates to aV draft regulator.

It 'is among' the objects of the present invention to j providega novel draft regulator arrangement which may be readily assembled lwith normal air conduit construction and which will provide a predetermined and accurate draft control or regulation for regulating the ilow of air into a ilue. l

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel draft control or regulator which will not tend to become deranged because of a collection of dirt, soot or carbon, andwhich may be readily installed by vunskilled Workmen or 'the average home mechanic in horizontal or inclined vertical ilues. Y

Still another object of the'present invention is to provide a draft regulator or control which is simple to construct, economical to produce, efcient in operation, and of rugged and durable construction. l

A further object is to provide ka novel draft regulator or controller which will have an increased range and which will be readily applicable to different size flues and will operate efficiently over a Wide range of drafts ranging from .02 to .08 inch or more if necessary.

Still further objects and advantages will appear in the more detailed description set forth below, it being understood, however, that this more detailed description is given by way of illustration and explanation only and i v or vertical ilue.

vane as the bearing points remain free of soot, dirt or any other foreign material. Desirably the bearing points have an eccentric connection so that there will only be Va line or point contact permitting the vane to swingr in substantially frictionless manner.'

'The Vbalance weights are mounted both forwardly and rearwardly of the vane on a shaft, the shaft extending through the lower part of the vane.

' This shaft may be yat any inclination to the vane.

Preferably the forwardly projecting portionof the shaft is graduated and has an adjustable weight which may be positioned at a desired calibration and fixed in adjusted position by a set screw.

By providing a notch or leveling device in the housing or vane, it is possible readily to plumb up the draft regulator so as to align it most readily in a horizontal With the foregoing and other objects in view, the inventionV consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the innot by way of limitation, since variousV changes therein .-Y

vention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In they drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Fig. Vl is a front elevational view of one form of draft regulator vane and collar mounting according to the present invention, in position on a vertical flue, showing a continuous one-piece, fixed hinge rod or shaft.

Fig.'2 is a transverse vertical sectional view upon the line 2-2 of Fig. l. y

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectionalV view similar to Fig. 2, showing the vane in position substantially 90 away from ther position of Fig. 2.

Fig.4 is a rear elevational view of the vane and mounting collar as shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a transverse horizontal sectional view upon the line 5-5 of Fig. l. j 'Y Y Fig. 6 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional viewupon theline 6-6V of Fig. 1 upon an enlarged scale as compared to Fig. l.

Fig. 7`is a transverse fragmentary vertical sectional view upon the line 7-7 of Fig. l upon an enlarged scale as compared to Fig. l.

By causing the vane to swing upon a fixed pivot or i hinge, assurance is had that collection of dirt, soot or other materials will not interfere with ready movement of the vane and further assurance will be had that the hinge construction will be substantially automatic or'self-cle'ans- A'feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the vane is pivotally mounted volf center and desirably with the major'weight ofthe vane Vabove center and with'the vane being of reduced depth and width below the hinge mount.

Desirably a compensating calibrated adjusting weight is mountedupon the vane below the hinge or pivot mount so as to counter-weight the upper portion of the vane.

In one construction the hinge mount is a fixed rod extending substantially across the vane upon which the, vane'is suspended. p 4 Y In an alternative construction theY hinge mount is split and the shaft bearings consist of two studs which are mounted upon the `frame for the vane and which project inwardly' into bearing mounts upon the vane.

The positioning of the bearings on the vane with the shaft being xedly mounted upon the housing ring pro vides a better balance at the bearing points.

It further permits greater freedom in swinging of the Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional View upon the line 8 8 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 9 and l0 are respectively diagrammatic sectiona views upon enlarged scales showing alternative hinge plate mounts of lthe vane upon a hinge stud or hinge rod.

Fig. Vll is Va front elevational view of analternative construction similar to Fig. l, vbut showing a split pivot rod with side fixed hinge stud shafts extending across the entire' lower part of the vane instead of the continuous hinge rod as'shown in Fig. l.

Fig. l2V is a transverse vertical sectional view upon the Vthe nuera-'1s of Fig. 12,.

Fig. T16 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view upon the line 16-16 of Fig. 1l and upon an enlarged scale as compared to Fig. l1. i

` Fig. l7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view upon the 17-17 of Fig. ll and upon an enlarged scale as compared to Fig. l1.

Referring to Figs. l to 7, there is shown a vertical liucA receive 'the Vframe or housing C and the rotating vane D. v

Fixed to the housing and; frame is the through pivot shaftv E which engages `the rbealjingplates F mounted upon theswingin'g vane vaneLcarries the xedweight G 'andthe adjustable or movable weight `The collar or frameC` consistsof an outside llange 10 which abuts up against the end .11 of the sleeve 'or thimf ble B. Theframe is also provided with. an inturned flange 12 which closely tits inside of the outer end face 14 of the sleeveor thi'rnble B. f l' f Intuined from the flange 12 is'y the. peripheral or. 2co'n-Y centric section 15 which, as indicated be'stin' Figs. 1 and 4, has a spacing -16" fromthe upperjperipheraledge 17 of theyane` D.. Thisshort peripheral'ange section 15 extends downwardly oneach side to. a point 18 at` or adjacent `the horizontalcenter line 19,. `This center line is substantially above the hinge 1ine`19a, y

The. peripheral flange asis best shown in Figs. 1 and 4 has an inward enlargement below the center line 19, as indicated at 20, and has an oblique edge 21 and a vertical edge 22. It then extends downwardly to the circular portion 23... The spacing 16lis maintained at 24, 25 and 26 around the entire periphery of the vaneDL The fixed hinge rodV E, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 and particularly in Figs. and 6, has a main hinge portion 28 with the side, right-angular bent portions29and the end flanges'30 which are rivetted at 31- tok the frame portionsZtL` Referring to the vane D, the.` vane has a circular top portion 35 and areduced width lower portion 36. The lower sides ofthe vane below the center line 19 and at the hinge line 19a will receive the base ilanges 37 of the hinge plates These base anges are riveted into position as indicatedat 38. Both flanges 37 carry the rearwardly extending stop extensions 40.

. The hinge. plate, as shownin Fig. .1, also has an exten;V

sion 39 (see particularly Figs. `l and 4) which is the lstop for the closed portion. y;

Alongside the rivet connections48. there may be provided intertting location openings 42 and embossments 43 which. are best shown in Fig. 6.

The lower portion of the frame C iS Plovided with an alignment ridge 55,` which-isV vertically `aligned with the alignmentnotch 56a on the upper part of the frame C.

The alignment is achieved by: suspending a weighted cord or plumb bob across `the notches 56a and 55 'and when `they are alignedthe draft .regulator will be in correct position in respect to the .vertical onthe ue A or sleeve B;

The weight-carrying shaft 56 extends obliquelythrough the vane C below the center line 19 and the hinge line 19a. It is lheld in place against rotation bylodgment in the recess 57` (see Figs. `3 and 7). Theshaft 56 is mounted at the vane, and at its rear .end it'carriesY the xed weight G.j This weight G, made up of a series ofV annular blanks 59, is held in position by the screw 60.`

The forward end of the shaft 56 on the other side of the vane plate D is graduated at ,58 and ithas a sliding weight M, which may be fixed in any adjusted position by the set screw 62. 2, u

A spring may also be` provided to` hold the sliding weight M in position. The graduation 58 will enable correct determination of theproper position of the sliding weight M, asshown in Figs. 2 and 3. Y

The shaft portion 28 extends through thel circular openings 75 inthe plates 40. `It is to be noted that there is an eccentric line contact between -the fixed hinge portion 28Y and the plate-40 `which is self-cleaning as the vane D swings.

The opening 75 for the shaft E may be varied as indicated at Figs. 9 and 10. In Fig. 9 the fixed shaft E extends .through the triangular opening 78 in the hingeV plate extension 80. l

In Fig. the rectangular cross-section shaft E2 ex rtends throughv the triangular' opening 85i of the hinge plate extension 86.

The extension 39 will act as a stop against the flange portion when the vane D is in closed position with the ilange 15, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. In open position the corner 96 of the bearing plate extension 40 will strike the lower peripheral `portion 97 of the casing structure C, as indicated best in Fig. 3.

The various shaft arrangement of Figs. 9 and 10 will all provide a fixed hinge witha relatively swinging hinge plate.

The shaft connections as shown in Figs. 1 to 10 give an automatic cleaning .of the hinge contacts and they permit the hinge plates to swing upon a line contact or a limited contact face. By keeping the shafts fixed and permitting the hinge plates to swing, a much more reliable construction is obtained.v

The verticalV2 ridge 55 and the'notch 562 will enable correct alignment of thedamper or draft regulator in either horizontal, vertical or oblique. flue, as shown in Fig. 1. 2 i

The construction;V as, shown iniFig. lllwill provide a substantially frictionless bearing resulting from the single line contact of thegbearing and hearingplate hole. This frictionless bearing provides this regulator with a dependable sensitivity. 2

I n the embodiment ,of Figs. l1 to 17 4there is shown a vertical flue M,.with a sleeve .or thir nbl e N2 which receives the housing Q having theswinging vane P. This swinging vane P. s wingson the split bearing rod or stub hinge` rods U by the hinge plates R. There isprovided a pre-set` interiorweight S and an outside adjustable Referring .toHFigs. 11, l2` and 15', the housing Q has a circular outside flange which tits against the end 111 of the'thimble N. The peripheraljange 110 lits clos'ely'against` thei end of .the sleeve or thimble 111. The housingl Q is, also provided with a.` peripheral interiorange 1114. at the topQof the housing and 2115 at the bottom of the` housing with the enlargements 116 at the sides.: of the housing Q. A continuous space 117, 118, 119 and 1201separates the flange 114115-116 from thefedges of .thelvane P. f The s'plithin'ge U as'shown best in Figs. 14 `and l5 is formed by the, short stub hingerods 13() which are xedly held inthe forwardly extending, central-loop 131 and the rearwardly extending side :loops 132`stamped out of the metal-.of eachA enlargedhousing flange portion 11`6 .The ends .of thestub-.rods 130 abut the edges 133 of the ange portion 116. l

The oppositef.ends. of the 'hinge rods 130 extend into the recessed; portion-.129Joftthervane. P. The recessed portionrnaytextendacrossthef full width of the vane at the hinge axis.

The bearing platesl R have the'extensions 134 with .the openings` 135; through .which the bearing rod U passes. These plates nR have.baseullanges-136nwhich `are riveted in positonat 137.'` and; have location openings and embossn ments 139. f

The-base plate 136.has\an extension 140 which acts as a stop against the enlargements 116'.. The base plate 136 also has a rearward extension plate 143. Thelower edges of the plate 143 abut and are stopped Vagainst the lower -ilange 1175-, as shown inFig. 13, when the vane Pl is fully open.l

The rear weight S may be formed of a nut 1144 which may be mounted in adjusted position upon Athe threaded shaft 145 and may be locked into vadjusted position by the lock nut 146. The adjustable weight Tjinaybe ad justed to any position on` the forward, graduated shaft portion v147` and held in position bythe set screw 148. The threaded shaft 146 where it passes. through recess 149. Vin theyane ,Pis heldin positionbythe nut 2150.

The draft regulator as shown may be made in a wide variety of sizes and it may be made in varying sizes, depending upon the diameter of the ilues.

The installation of the present invention is particularly satisfactory in that it gives a wide range of adjustment and one size of regulator will function quite eilectively with a yconsiderable range of dierent size llues.

As many changes could be made in the above draft regulator, and many widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as' illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the invention, and what manner the same is to `be performed, what is claimed is:

1. A ydraft regulator comprising a circular frame ha ing a cylindrical rearwardly extending attachment and a front peripheral ange and a swinging vane horizontally ivotally mounted to swing within said frame, said vane having `a relatively wide upper semi-circular portion and a relatively narrow downwardly extending rectangular lower portion and said peripheral ilange having its inside edge closely conforming to but slightly spaced from the edge of the vane and having wide portions adjacent the upper edges of the sides of the lower portion, horizontally aligned inwardly extending pins permanently mounted in said wide portions at each side thereof and extending into the opening inside of said flange and angle flanges mounted on the baci: of said vane having ange portions with openings in which said pins are received, said flange portions being perpendicular to the plane of the vane and said vane having channels aligned with said openings to receive said pins, and said angle flanges having extensions, one extension serving to limit the opening position of the vane and another extension serving to limit the closing position of the vane.

2. The regulator or" claim 1, said wide portions having loops stamped out extending forwardly and rearwardly to receive and bind said pins.

3. The regulator of claim l, said vane having a forwardly downwardly inclined threaded bolt with adjustable weights at the end thereof mounted on said vane below said pivot mount.

4. A draft regulator comprising a circular frame having a cylindrical rearwardly extending attachment and a front peripheral liange and a swinging vane horizontally pivotally mounted to swing within said frame, said vane having a relatively wide upper semi-circular portion and a relatively narrow d-ownwardly extending rectangular lower portion and said peripheral llange having its inside edge closely conforming to but slightly spaced from the edge of the vane and having wide portions adjacent the upper edges of the sides of the lower portion, horizontally aligned inwardly extending pins permanently mounted in said wide portions at each side thereof `and extending into the opening inside of said ange and angle flanges mounted on the back of said vane having flange portions with openings in which said pins are received, said flange portions being perpendicular to the plane of the vane and said vane having channels aligned with said openings to rec said pins, said angle flanges having sideward and rearward extensions respectively to contact the sides and the bottom of said peripheral llange and limit the opening and closing position of said vane.

5. A draft regulator comprising a frame and a swinging vane hingedly mounted to swing toward and away from the plane of the frame, hingin-g means on each side of the Vane positioned substantially below the center of gravity and the geometrical center of the frame and the vane, said hinging means consisting of opposite short stud hinge pins fixed in the sides of the frame and projecting inwardly, hinge plates mounted on each side of the back of the vane havin.s a base portion in substantially the same plane as the plane of the vane and permanently mounted on the back of the vane, said base having side extensions to act as stops to contact the sides of the frame and limit the closing movement of the vane, said base also having rear extensions extending transversely and normal to the side extensions to contact the bottom of the frame and limit the opening movement of the vane.

6. The regulator of claim 5, said hinge plates also having forward extensions in the same plane as the rear extensions having hinge openings into which said short stud hinge pins extend forming the side hinge mounts.

7. The regulator of claim 5, said vane having an ern-V bossed channel extending laterally across said vane to receive and form clearance for said hinge pins.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,252,425 Crooker Aug. 12, 1941 2,405,770 Walker Aug. 13, 1946 2,433,749 l Field Dec. 30, 1947 2,435,166 Stephenson Ian. 27, 1948 2,460,960 Wilson Feb. 8, 1949 2,555,687 Field June 5, 1951 2,624,513 Field Jan. 6, 1953 2,652,200 Field Sept. 15, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 363,400 Great Britain Dec. 16, 1931 

